A review by lastingliterature
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

 It is always hard to “rate” a memoir because it’s a person’s own story. How can you critique a life story? What I can say is that Jennette Walls’ book is a heartbreaking account of her life with challenging and toxic parents. The quote, “..but what I did know was that I lived in a world that at any moment could erupt into fire. It was the sort of knowledge that kept you on your toes” sums it up well. Her early years were spent in a constant state of unpredictability—moving, getting hurt, sexual assault, fights, etc. While there are many, many examples of the hurt and pain she endured, she also highlights the moments of love, connection, and bonding between her family. Each family member is an elaborate piece to this family puzzle—each new fact I learned about them was eye-opening and revealed so much more about their dynamic. 

 

I can’t help comparing this book to Educated by Tara Westover, which I read a couple of years ago. Both memoirs capture the importance of education and individuality while highlighting the pain a dysfunctional family causes and the drive to escape and learn more about the world without the pressure of family views and opinions weighing you down. 

 

This is a book that deserves a read.